Imperfect Justice Read Online Free PDF Page A

purple, multiple piercings, and tattoo-covered body put off most people.
    But Rayne had a heart of gold. She’d quickly seen how lonely and solitary Misty’s life was and made it her mission to be the best friend ever.
    Misty gave Rayne a hug, feeling better than she had all night. Just talking about things would calm her and enable her to sleep. She would miss Rayne’s easy-going friendship when she moved to Seattle.
    “Relax and have a seat. I’m making hot chocolate.”
    Rayne sprawled on the couch with a smile. “Double marshmallows for me. So how was your trip? Tell me every detail, although I should say don’t tell me anything. I can’t believe you’re leaving me and moving. I’m going to miss you so much.”
    “I’m going to miss you too. I wish you would come with me. I’m sure you could get a job in any tattoo shop in the city. You have real talent.”
    “Thank you, but my sister…” Rayne’s sister was pregnant and she wanted to be close by.
    “I know. You’ll just have to come visit me, that’s all. And as for the trip, it was fine. I sold some paintings and made some money. All good. It was when I arrived in Fielding that something happened.”
    Rayne’s brow went up. “Something happened in Fielding? I guess there’s a first time for everything. Sit down and tell me.”
    Misty poured out two large mugs of hot chocolate, dumped in some marshmallows, and settled down on the other end of the sofa. Handing a cup to Rayne, Misty wasn’t sure where to begin.
    “I was driving home,” she began. “Coming down Main Street.”
    Rayne blew on the steaming liquid and then took an experimental sip. “This is good. I was up reading since I couldn’t sleep and I was out of marshmallows. Go on.”
    “There was a man sitting in front of the B&B and I was worried because I thought he might have frozen to death or something. So I pulled over to check on him.”
    Rayne set the mug down on the coffee table. “Let me get this straight. You stopped in the middle of the night in front of a bar to check on some guy who might or might not be dead but could have been drunk and packing a gun or knife? Have you lost your mind? You could have been killed. I know you go overboard caring for people but this was dangerous.”
    Misty shook her head. “No, no, no. It wasn’t like that. It was the sheriff.”
    That statement seemed to take Rayne aback. “The sheriff? You have my attention. Was he okay?”
    “He’d had a few too many and was waiting for a cab. I was afraid to leave him in case they didn’t show so I offered him a ride home.”
    “I swear you are the original Girl Scout. Did he accept? Damn, he is one fine man. I wouldn’t mind having to give him a ride home one day. Maybe I could convince him that he was lonely and needed some company.”
    “He did accept. So I drove him home…and it was really windy…”
    “And?” Rayne prompted. “Did you have trouble with your car? You should shoot that thing and put it out of its misery.”
    “No,” Misty said slowly. Now that the time had come to tell Rayne about the kiss Misty was wondering if maybe she shouldn’t say anything at all. Rayne had made her opinions of Misty’s love life – or lack thereof – very plain. “He was a little unsteady on his feet so I helped him into the house. I made him some coffee and found some aspirin.”
    “That was sweet and certainly above and beyond the call of duty. I hope he was sufficiently grateful.”
    Misty felt the heat rise in her cheeks and her heart rate pick up. “He did thank me…with…a kiss.”
    Rayne’s eyes went wide with astonishment. “A kiss, huh? I knew the sheriff was hot. How was it? You didn’t have a case of the vapors and faint on him, did you?”
    “I did not.” Misty’s tone was indignant. “I–I kissed him back.”
    “Now that is good news,” Rayne approved with a grin. “Now answer my question. How was it? Is he as good as he looks? That man is sex on a